Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences) ›› 2023, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (2): 25-37.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2023.02.003

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Who Benefits More from Online Learning: An Empirical Study on Postgraduates’ Online Knowledge Sharing Behavior

Chiyao Sun1, Ji’an Liu2, Yanru Xu2   

  1. 1. Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
    2. School of Public Policy and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  • Online:2023-02-01 Published:2023-01-18

Abstract:

Online knowledge sharing is the key link of individual development in the digital age. Postgraduates are the core members of the future knowledge society. Exploring the factors affecting their online knowledge sharing behavior is of positive significance to promote postgraduates to enjoy digital dividends fairly and contribute to the construction of Digital China. However, the existing literature lacks attention to this topic. This study examines factors resulting in postgraduates differentiated online knowledge sharing behavior from two dimensions – social structure and individual ability. The results of the questionnaire survey of 501 postgraduates show that: first, structural factors (gender, school type, location, father’s occupation, and father’s education) have a significant impact on postgraduates’ online knowledge sharing behavior. These also have a greater impact on the quality of online knowledge sharing than in a quantity sense. Second, individual ability factors (information literacy) also have a significant impact on postgraduates’ online knowledge sharing behavior. It has a greater impact on the quantity of online knowledge sharing than in a quality sense. Third, there is Matthew effect in the Internet context, and certain effects of structural factors on online knowledge sharing behavior are indirectly generated through individual ability factors. Participants with privileged status regarding structural factors show a higher level of information literacy, which encourages them to be more active in online knowledge sharing behavior and facilitates their high-quality production.

Key words: digital society, digital divide, structural factors, ability factors, online knowledge sharing behavior